Matt Cromarty of theBy Paul Pickering
A RISING Sun if there ever was one, Sherbrooke Suns’ basketballer Matt Cromarty has emerged as one of the sport’s brightest young stars.
Since June, the 20-year-old has been named the Big V Youth League Two Player of the Month, earned a promotion to the Suns’ Division 1 men’s team and scored a month-long tryout with the National Basketball League’s South Dragons.
While Cromarty’s six-foot-seven frame dictates that getting noticed is rarely a problem in everyday life, it has been his on-court numbers that have drawn the attention of the basketball fraternity of late.
In his five appearances for the Suns’ U23 side last month, Cromarty averaged 23 points, 10 rebounds and two steals per game, while hitting a stunning 54 per cent of his three-point attempts.
“I was happy enough with my performance on the month,” Cromarty said after securing the Player of the Month honours.
“I played a bit more aggressively and got a few extra shots up.”
Most would agree that he had slightly understated his rich vein of form.
As impressive as his statistics are, though, it is Cromarty’s versatility that has caught the eye of coaches and recruiters from across the state – including Australian basketball legend and South Dragons captain-coach Shane Heal.
Having played almost every position on a basketball court, Cromarty says he is likely to settle as a shooting guard/small forward at the elite level.
In his recent scrimmages with the Dragons, Cromarty has been matched-up against the youngster who has emerged to define that swingman role – reigning NBL Rookie of the Year and Australian Boomers squad member Joe Ingles.
Cromarty said the opportunity to pit his own skills against those of the 19-year-old phenomenon has been a definite eye-opener.
“They certainly don’t take it easy on you,” he laughed.
“But I reckon I’ve done pretty well and I don’t feel out of place.”
While Cromarty knows that he must improve every aspect of his game, he says strengthening his young body is a priority.
The Dragons have developed an extensive weight program for him and will evaluate his place in the squad at the end of the month.
Regardless of the verdict, Cromarty says he is just happy to be playing basketball again after a broken wrist threatened to end his career two years ago.
Meanwhile, he has recently moved from Seville – where he grew up – to Lilydale and is continuing a cabinet-making apprenticeship.
